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Title: |
1880 Article-Ames' Iron Works, Threshing & Straw Burning Portable Steam Engines |
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Source: |
American Machinist, 24 Jan 1880, pg. 1 |
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Insert Date: |
7/2/2015 12:53:27 PM |
Portable Agricultural Engines
We illustrate, herewith, two portable steam engines, which are built by the Ames Iron Works, of Oswego, N. Y., and 38 Cortlandt Street, New York City.
The Improved Threshing Engine, shown in the illustration, is intended for farm and other purposes, where a portable engine is desirable. The boiler is of the locomotive pattern, with an ash-pit formed at the bottom. This engine is strongly mounted upon either iron or wooden wheels. If of wood, the spokes are made of oak and the felloes of birch, all strongly bolted together. A tire of 6" in width is generally used for sandy or soft localities. The bolster is placed under the end remote from the furnace, so that most of the weight is thrown upon the back wheels. The axle, which is made of the best iron, is in one piece, and is curved to fit the boiler, passing under the ash-pit, thus making a very much stronger axle than if it were merely abutted against the sides of the boiler, and bolted to it by means of tap bolts. The axle is also strengthened by brackets bolted fast to the boiler, which fit over the shoulders on each side. Injury to the boiler from sudden shocks is thus prevented. A dry pipe is made use of, in order to get dry steam, and a spring balance is used on the safety valve, instead of a weight. The engine is furnished with a good, plain slide-valve, which, in an engine of this sort, subject, necessarily, to rough and unskillful handling, is considered to be less liable to get out of order than a more complicated valve motion. It is substantial and well proportioned. The guides are of an improved design, and are not liable to spring. The pump is provided with a suction hose, which is fitted with a hose strainer. A hose is also attached to the pump, by which water may be used about the machine for any necessary purpose. The smoke stack is hinged, so as to turn back upon the engine while being transported. A spark arrester is placed in the top of the smoke stack, and consists of a round frame covered with fine wire netting. This frame is pivoted like a damper, and fills the opening in the top of the stack. It can be opened, should occasion require, to give a better draught, or it will, by a quick movement, remove any accumulation of sparks or dirt in the screen.
The Straw Burning Engine shown in the cut, although new, has been extensively used in the Western states and some parts of South America, where other fuel is scarce and expensive, and straw is plentiful. Its design is the result of long and careful experiments. It is said to work successfully, and its builders claim that straw is an economical fuel where the price of a ton does not exceed that of a cord of wood. The boiler is constructed on the return flue principle, with one large flue running the entire length. The fire-box, which is furnished with grate bars, occupies about one-half the length of this tube, the ash-pit portion being beneath, and easily accessible. The straw is introduced into the furnace through an ordinary fire-door in front, and the fire and heat pass through the large tube to the back connection. The heat then returns through a series of small tubes, which are located above and on either side of the large tube, thus obtaining perfect combustion, as well as utilizing most of the available heat. The escape from the smoke-stack is, principally, superfluous gases. The proportions for a boiler 88" in diameter are as follows: Large tube, 15" diam. and 26"; small tubes, 2½" diam. and 90" long. In this way, the danger from fire is claimed to be avoided. The boiler is fitted with a peculiarly shaped mud drum, through which most of the deposit and dirt from the boiler are removed. The engine is very much the same as that of the engine previously described. This boiler can be readily adapted for burning either wood or coal by a simple change in the grate bars. |
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1880 Ames' Iron Works, Threshing Portable Steam Engine
1880 Ames' Iron Works, Straw Burning Portable Steam Engine
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